U.S. Embassy Harare PD Annual Program Statement

Description

Priority Program Areas: PD Harare strongly encourages applicants to apply directly to 2022’s specific NOFOs to increase their chances of selection. Projects must tie into the following themes: · Deepen U.S.-Zimbabwean university partnerships; particularly if they bolster stronger research capacity and explore the challenges university administrations face in today’s market. · Promote freedom of speech; particularly if they share best practices for citizen advocacy, and/or explore the challenges modern media houses face in a digital economy and the ethical standards needed to gain public confidence. · Progress an inclusive economy; particularly connecting the business community with social entrepreneurs and the creative community with emerging digital markets. · Fosters social inclusion of underserved communities, such as disabled persons, minority ethnic groups, LGBTQI, and those in remote rural areas. · Projects that also explore issues such as corruption; cyber security; and greening energy will be considered. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION · Number of awards anticipated Fiscal Year 2022: Up to 10 awards (dependent on amounts) · Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $24,999 USD. Awards for travel to participate in U.S. conferences may range from $2,500 to $5,000. · Total available funding: $350,000 USD · Type of Funding: FY2022 Public Diplomacy Funding This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Types: 1. Grant, 2. Fixed Amount Award, or 3. Cooperative Agreement. Cooperative Agreements differ from Grants and Fixed Amount Awards in that PD is more extensively and actively involved in the project implementation. Financial capacity: Pressures on Zimbabwe’s financial systems may affect the selected applicant’s ability to follow through with the grant agreement. PD Harare does not infuse additional funds into a grant agreement to compensate for currency fluctuations or for unforeseen work. To guard against non-compliance owing to cash shortages borne of banking complications, it is strongly suggested that applicants have a Foreign Currency Account in addition to a local currency account. Applicants should be aware of their banking institution’s policies and fees regarding electronic deposits, transfers and withdrawals of U.S. dollars. Applicants should ensure their bank has a corresponding relationship with U.S. banks. You will only be asked to supply banking information if your proposal is selected for funding. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. To Request Application Package: Email PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov; an automatic reply with the Application forms will be sent. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Content of Application – the proposal should: · Clearly serve the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity; · Be specific and concise in describing the who, what, why, when, where, how and cost aspects of the project; · Provide all documents in English; and · Include a budget narrative and a budget table in U.S. dollars breaking down costs per unit rates, quantities as well as totals. Application Forms required: (in the Application Package) · Completed application (form attached) · Detailed projected budget (form attached) · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – Individuals) · SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) · SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) Required Registrations: All organizations (not individuals) applying for grants must obtain these registration numbers: Step 1: For organizations: Register your entity on SAM.gov https://www.sam.gov A Unique Entity ID (UEI) will be assigned after registration. 3. Submission Dates and Times PD Harare will accept proposals from February 2, 2022 until May 1, 2022. No applications will be accepted after that date. 4. Other Submission Requirements All application materials may be emailed to PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov (with “Annual PD Program Statement Grant” in the subject line): APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Criteria Each application will be reviewed and rated based on evaluation criteria outlined below. Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea: The program idea is well developed and focused, detailing what will be done, how, where, when, for which target audience(s), by whom and most importantly, for what purpose. It articulates why the project is important to advancing Zimbabwe. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline, an identified target audience and outcome measures. Goals and objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated. Project approach is clearly matched to goals and likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. Embassy priorities: Applicant has clearly described how the project’s stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy Harare PD’s priority areas and target audiences. The required U.S. component of the project is clearly articulated. Budget: The budget justification is detailed, with a narrative description that matches the budget numbers. There is a budget spreadsheet showing per unit cost breakdowns, subtotals, and totals in U.S. dollars. Estimated expenses are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Monitoring and evaluation plan: The monitoring plan articulates realistic key indicators, outputs, outcomes, and milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. It describes how and when indicators will be measured. The evaluation plan describes measures to be used in assessing the outcome and impact of the project. The plan may address potential pitfalls and possible contingencies to correct the course of the project. Sustainability: The proposal addresses follow-on activities that will sustain and continue the positive impact of the project after its completion. Review and Selection Process Applications are reviewed on a competitive, annual basis by the Public Diplomacy Grants Committee, depending on availability of funds. Organizations whose applications are not selected for funding will be notified via email no later than September 30, 2022. All qualified proposals will remain on file for up to 12 months for the committee for consideration at any time, as funds become available. If you wish to receive an update on the status of your proposal, please email PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov with the Subject line: “Request for Update on my Submitted Proposal [Title/Date of submission].” FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. Federal Award Notices The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses on, not before, the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer. If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State. Issuance of this Funding Opportunity announcement does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. Payment Method: Payments will be made via electronic funds transfer to banks with corresponding relationships with U.S. banks. 2. Administrative and U.S. National Policy Requirements: Terms and Conditions: Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include: · 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm. · Note the U.S. Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions. 3. Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. Reports will include an accounting for expenditure of amounts already received before the next tranche of funds can be released. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PD Harare at PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov . Note: Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.

Eligibility

Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category code 25. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.

Parent Grant Program

Agency Contact

Key Dates